Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL)

Discussions were based on the Audit reports given in and assessed, whilst issues were discussed. The 1st meeting held on the 1st of June, 2022 was after quite some time since they last met.

Acting Secretary for DAL, Dr. Nelson Simbiken, spoke about the many issues faced and it was time to fix issues. He said that entities needed to now be focuses and realigned to the government’s policies.

This was according to the Acting Secretary, Dr. Nelson Simbiken at the 4^th World Food Safety Day this week.

The key to establishing restructuring the department is through a Corporate Plan and sector plan which is DAL does not have as mentioned by Dr. Simbiken.

He s the last good sector plan that was in place was the National Agriculture Development Plan back in 2006. 

Dr Simbiken shared that they have been trying to integrate government policies but did not have a set focus on how we deliver, how to attract resources and bring investment.

EU-STREIT PNG have conducted six cocoa bud grafting and block management trainings for 1061 lead farmers in Aitape, East and West LLGs, in order to rehabilitate old cocoa trees and those affected by cocoa pod borer (CPB) pest. A new vanilla pollination technique will equip 357 lead farmers in six villages in remote areas.

FAO-led EU-STREIT PNG conducted 12 trainings for farmers in Sandaun, who earn a living from cocoa and vanilla.